eircom passes half-way mark with Ireland’s largest WiFi network

2,300 of 4,000 eircom WiFiHub hotspot locations are now in service across Ireland

by David Baker

on 6th August, 2013

eircom announced today, that it is more than half way through the roll out of its nationwide network of WiFiHub hotspots.

More than 2,300 of 4,000 planned eircom WiFiHub locations are already operational across Ireland. According to eircom, the wireless hotspot network sees 1.2 million unique logins and is used by approximately 330,000 devices.

The busiest location is the free eircom WiFiHub at Dublin Airport, with the Stillorgan Leisureplex another busy Leinster location. In Munster and Ulster, McDonald’s tops the list with its branches in Cashel and Letterkenny. The Connaught title goes to Supermac’s in Eyre Square, Galway.

In recent months eircm’s WiFiHub network has expanded to include locations such as cafés, bars restaurants, hair salons as well as some medical and dental practices.

Cathal O’Dalaigh, head of broadband at eircom, said, “We are committed to rolling out our WiFiHub service to more and more businesses to ensure people can access the internet at convenient locations with a service that provides real benefits for users as they move around the country.”

eircom has expanded its free broadband network by partnering with a number of businesses. The WiFiHub hotspots have been installed at branches of AIB (180 locations), Topaz (123), Irish Rail and DART (94), Supermac’s (92), BWG (95, including Spar, Eurospar, Mace and XL), McDonald’s (81), Londis (39) and Burger King (23).

The wireless hotspots also make eircom’s services available at cultural locations, such as the Skibbereen Heritage Centre in Cork, as well as in sporting and entertainment venues as diverse as Finn Harps F.C. in Galway, Dublin’s Vicar Street and several cinemas across the country.

Mr O’ Dalaigh added “We are investing heavily in our network and are currently trialling our 4G network which will be launched in the autumn, coupled with our investment to improve our 3G network and the continued roll out of our WiFiHub service our customers will be able enjoy greater connectivity over a range of mobile solutions”

eircom’s WiFiHub is a service which allows eircom broadband, eMobile and Meteor customers to connect to the internet via wireless hotspots free of charge. Non – eircom customers can also register to use the service at competitive low cost rates.